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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: hello on February 21, 2005, 09:18:58 PM

Title: reactivity with metals and nonmetals
Post by: hello on February 21, 2005, 09:18:58 PM

PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS QUESTION!!

Which element would react more with oxygen... sodium or carbon?

What does one element being a metal and one element being a non-metal have to do with anything?

i got as far as 'carbon needs 2 electrons to become stable, so it has to take some from the other elements, and some have more to give than others. some produce more energy, which makes a bigger reaction' i said this in more scientific terms of course, but thats essentially it. i dont understand what being a metal or nonmetal has to do with reactivity. thats really what i need help with.

Title: Re:reactivity with metals and nonmetals
Post by: Demotivator on February 21, 2005, 10:09:38 PM

Metals tend to more easily give up electrons and non metals more easily accept electrons. Hence, the combination of a metal with a non metal will  lead to increased reactivity.